Electromagnetic Energy Can Affect Your Health

by | dirty electricity, electric fields, electromagnetic energy, electromagnetic radiation, EME, EMF, EMR, environmental sensitivities, environmental stressors, grinding teeth, magnetic fields, radiofrequencies, sleep, smart meters, wireless technology

Electromagnetic energy (EME), also known as electromagnetic fields (EMF), emanates from wired sources and radiates from wireless devices.

It is a very ubiquitous environmental stressor that very few homes are free from.

From the hundreds of assessments of homes and workplaces that I’ve conducted over the last decade, I’ve seen again and again similar symptoms in people who are exposed to high levels of radiofrequency (RF) EME.

These symptoms include:

  • Disturbed sleep, with an inability to fall into a deep restful sleep
  • Busy dreams
  • Waking unrefreshed
  • Non-stop thoughts, I had a 6 year old once tell me that it felt like she couldn’t turn her brain off
  • A sense of buzzing similar to feeling caffeinated
  • Agitation and stress
  • Anger and sometimes rages
  • Feeling frustrated and irritable
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Grinding teeth (bruxism)
  • Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)

And what I wanted to share with you today is based on the occupants experiencing many of these symptoms in their new home.

More importantly, the reason for sharing is because the source was so surprising.

Surprising Sources

I recently conducted an assessment for my clients in the home that they were just moving into.

Being out of the city, I was expecting lower readings than what I see particularly in inner city homes.

However, apart from one source, the levels of the different types of electromagnetic energy (EME) were incredibly low – and very close to natural levels.

ELF AC electric fields, we aim for below 0.3 V/m. This place was around 0.1 V/m.

ELF AC magnetic fields 2, we aim for below 2.0 mG.  This place was close to 0.0 mG throughout.

RF EME, we aim for below 10 µW/m2. This place was below 2 µW/m2. This place almost everywhere was below 2 µW/m2… but there were levels well over 100 µW/m2 in the bedroom.

High Frequency Transient Spikes (aka “Dirty Electricity”) we’re aiming for below 100 mV. This place sat between 20-40 mV.

So it intrigued me as to the source of the sleep issues they were experiencing from the very first night they spent there. 

Outside their bedroom was the meter box and switchboard. The meter was a smart meter, so no surprises there… but the readings I got, and the pattern of spikes did not match what I’d expect from a smart meter.

Lo and behold, in the meter box was also something else!

It looked almost like a white computer mouse and was attached to the front of the meter and was sitting on the metal wall of the meter box.

It was an energy management system. 

This is what it looks like:

electromagnetic-energy-energy-management-system-Eco-Health-Solutions

They are designed to send information to an app on your phone so you can manage your energy usage.

Have you got one?

Electromagnetic Energy Findings from the Energy Management System

In this video, you can see the lovely low background levels.

The readings I got were really interesting. I recorded them for you to see and hear.

Every few seconds, you’ll hear a sound that is a bit like a metronome or clock ticking, that is the sound coming through the meter of the EME that it is detecting.

In these videos, you can see how high the readings were…

And it isn't even connected to anything!

What is Happening?

Whilst taking the readings, as you can see, the energy management system is not connected to anything.

When it was installed in the meter box, it was stuck on with double-sided sticky tape.

And that is normal – they are simply stuck on the meter.

They are then meant to be connected to an app on your smartphone via Bluetooth connectivity.

Whether or not a phone is connected to it, as you can see, it is continuously emitting RF EME every few seconds.

What Can You Do?

Check your meter box and remove the energy management system installed, if you've got one.

It may not look exactly the same as the one I’ve shown you here, so be sure to check carefully. 

If you’re in any doubt about what it is, take a photo of it and ask your electricity supplier.You can share it in our Facebook group.

If you're interested in finding out more about shielding your smart meter, check out this guide here.

What Was the End Result?

With the energy management system gone, I reassessed and found that every 5-10 minutes, there was a spike in RF readings. This was coming from the smart meter.

We installed shielding (shielding paint) and I measured the levels again – and the levels dropped down to what the rest of the place was – incredibly low levels around 2 µW/m2.

And, I’m happy to report that my clients are now sleeping well.

EMF 5 little known sources cover © Eco Health Solutions

Are you already familiar with EMF/EME? 

I've put together this Healthy Home Guide which focuses on the little known sources of EMF/EME.

You can download it for FREE here.

Time for New Habits

by | air pollution, air quality, buildings and health, carbon monoxide, chemicals, cleaning, earthing, electric fields, electromagnetic radiation, EME, EMF, EMR, grounding, health, healthy home, humidity, indoor air quality, indoor environmental health, magnetic fields, mold, mould, personal care, self-care, simple life, sleep, traffic related air pollution, ventilation, VOCs

The end of the year is a time when we look to create new habits.

We reflect back on the year that we have had.

And decide what we would like to do differently.

Do you do that?

I do.

I love this practice and tend to do it way more often.

Here’s are 5 new habits that support health!

New Habit 1: Turn Off the Tech

Research shows that evening use of devices containing LED lights in their screens can have a large effect on our wellbeing.


Research out of Israel by Green, et al., discovered that 2-hours of evening exposure to these screens resulted in:

  • Increased waking through the night,
  • Poorer quality sleep, and
  • Suppressed melatonin production.

The effects were also seen the following day, with:

  • Increased sleepiness,
  • A decrease in the ability to concentrate, and
  • Reduced accuracy

Sleep in incredibly important not only for your mood and ability to concentrate, but also for your health and ability to tolerate environmental stressors.

So, when can you turn off the tech?

Habit #2: Easy & Breezy

Did you know that the air inside our homes can be 5-10 times more polluted than outdoors?

This is due to all sorts of reasons, from what we bring into our homes, to what our homes are made of, how we cook and what our pots and pans are made of…

And that is just for starters.

When we add pesticides, cleaning products and scented reeds into the mix, we are really cooking up a storm!

Then we’re there.

Breathing, eating, using the bathroom…

Sweating (or “perspiring” 😉 for those who don’t sweat), cooking, sleeping…

Everything we bring into our homes can affect the quality of the indoor air.

If our home is nicely energy efficient, it is very likely that it is well-sealed, keeping the indoor air in, and the outdoor air out.

This can lead to a build-up of volatile organic compounds, particulate matter, house dust mites, mould spores, combustion gases and more.

To make matters worse, if you never exchange the air in your home…

It never gets diluted.

And –

That is how the indoor air can be so much worse than the outdoor air.

Where in your day can you open your windows and doors?

eco-health-solutions-nature

Habit #3: Healing Naturally

I always see nature as our baseline…

The ideal to which we strive…

The harmony and balance of nature is so supportive and healing.

The Japanese embrace this through their practise of Shinrin Yoku – or “forest bathing.”

The idea is that you wander out into nature, ideally under a canopy of trees, and sit or lay there for at least an hour.

I see so many benefits of this…

  1. You get to breathe fresh natural air, instead of indoor air
  2. Being in nature in this way can allow you to discharge accumulated EMF – it is a form of grounding
  3. I suspect that the air you breathe is full of natural antimicrobials – let’s face it, trees survive in a forest because of their natural antimicrobials
  4. If you do this free from devices, it can be deeply relaxing, which can be incredibly healing
  5. It can help us to reconnect with nature – which traditionally we have always been well aware of

I have seen research some years ago now, that found that the benefits of one-hour of forest bathing last for 7 days.

So even if you live in the city, you should be able to carve out an hour a week to do this.

Where can you create some time to be in nature?

Habit #4: Be a Labels Sleuth

Whilst there is a lot to learn about reading labels, there is a lot you can learn by doing this.

If you took a moment to review the labels of products as you pick them off the shelf, you might be surprised at what you see.

If I could encourage you to eliminate one ingredient…

It would be fragrance (also listed as perfume or parfum).

By cutting out fragrances, you could reduce your daily chemical exposure dramatically because…

Fragrances require so many chemicals to make them!

There are loads of other ingredients you can omit, too…

But fragrances are the best place to start.

Also, some products don’t necessarily have an ingredients list…

So, this is where you can put your nose to use and have a sniff of it.

Tip: toilet paper and sanitary products are often fragranced…

Instead, you may choose to focus on an ingredient in food.

Which ingredient are you going to target?

eco-health-solutions natural

Habit #5: Need or Want?

When you are about to make a purchase, stop and think:

Do I actually need it?

If not, then consider why you want it.

The goal here is not to accumulate too much “stuff.”

Accumulating can lead to issues in terms of safety (trip-hazards), pests, dust (and house dust mites) and may even become a hygiene issue if cleaning becomes difficult.

We created a rule many years ago that you might like to adapt or adopt…

For every item that we buy, we need to pass on three to charity.

When I do this, I tend to really get into it, and often can fill a large garbage bag with goodies that would benefit from a new home.

It is surprisingly liberating to pass things on to charity…

What can you put in place, so you remember to ask, “Do I really need it?” when making a purchase?

5 New Habits

There you go – there are five new habits to propel you towards a home or workplace that supports your health.

Let me know how you go with them!

 

Would You Like More Help? Book a Hidden Hazards Hotline Call here >>

 

References:

A. Green, M. Cohen-Zion, A. Haim & Y. Dagan (2017): Evening light exposure to computer screens disrupts human sleep, biological rhythms, and attention abilities, Chronobiology International, DOI: 10.1080/07420528.2017.1324878

Smart Meters – What Can Be Done?

by | building biology, dirty electricity, earthing, ehs, electric fields, electromagnetic radiation, EMF, EMR, environmental sensitivities, high frequencies, indoor environmental health, magnetic fields, radiofrequencies, smart meters, wireless technology

Smart meters have been rolled out in many parts of the country, have you got one?

Given I am so immersed in this kind of technology, I am always surprised when someone hasn’t even heard of them. 🙂

So, let's start with what they are.

What are Smart Meters?

A smart meter is a relatively new type of electricity meter.

We all had analog ones. These new ones are digital, and the majority of them transmit information back to the power companies.

Please note, that not all of them do.

The move to smart meters in Australia has at least several reasons that I can figure out:

  • They don't need to be manually read, as the data can be transmitted – saving the power companies money;
  • It was decided that they would be rolled out in Victoria after the terrible fires we had some years back that were caused by power lines coming down. If smart meters were installed, they could shut down the power and it is hoped that this would then prevent this from happening again; and
  • As part of the bigger picture of the Internet of Things (#IoT) and #5G, they can talk to devices and turn them on and off…

What is So Different About a Smart Meter?

In a nutshell, smart meters transmit information wireless (thus utilising radiofrequency EMF).

This is both the benefit AND the issue.

What is Wrong with Smart Meters?
Aren't they Smarter?

No, they are not. When they first came out and sensitive people began experiencing symptoms, many of us were calling them “Dumb Meters!”

Smart Meters emit four different types of electromagnetic fields (EMF).

  1. Radiofrequency EMF – as already mentioned, this is the wireless technology. This can pass through walls and travels quite long distances.
  2. “Dirty Electricity” (High Frequency Transient Spikes) – due to the fact they contain an inverter. This type of EMF is on the wiring, but can emanate into a room through the walls.
  3. Magnetic Fields – from the wiring. This also passes through walls, but levels drop off very quickly with distance.
  4. Electric Fields – from the wiring. Although this type of EMF can pass through walls, it is seeking the fastest route to earth. So, it may easily bend to reach earth if a good conductor is nearby. (Think of lightning hitting the tallest tree.)

eco-health-solutions-home

Any issue with that?

All of these types of EMF are at far higher levels than what we are looking for from a health perspective.

When ours was first installed, the power company offered to send me their literature to allay my concerns. Having waded through the 100-ish pages, I found that smart meters emit magnetic fields at 17 mG. From a health-perspective, we are looking at 2 mG for daytime exposure and 0.2 mG for bedrooms.

The power companies claim that they only transmit wirelessly up to six times a day. Whilst it may be true that the information is only received up to six times a day, they are emitting 24/7 and spike (rapidly reach a much higher level) frequently.

Instead of helping, my concerns were heightened!

Early in my career as an Indoor Environmental Health Consultant it became very clear that the levels emitted, and the fact that EMF is being emitted 24/7 (and we can't turn it off), many people I encountered had reached their tipping point. This has resulted in* these people to develop a heightened sensitivity to EMF, with symptoms varying from insomnia, muscle tension, vivid dreaming, grinding their teeth (bruxism), ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and so on.

*These symptoms are anecdotal – I have accumulated this list from what has been reported to my by clients.

My stance is that it is never one thing that causes heightened sensitivities, but it can easily be one thing that “breaks the camels back.” That said, it is vital that we reduce all environmental stressors, particularly for when we are asleep.

What Can Be Done?

  1. Not get one – if you have the chance to not have one installed, please avoid doing so.
  2. Have it removed – in some areas, people have been able to have them removed. Occasionally, they have to pay more per year someone manually needs to read them. (Worth it, I think!)
  3. Have the chip removed so it can't emit wirelessly – this will solve the issues of one of the four types of EMF.
  4. Move the aerial – if you contact your energy provider, they may be able to put the aerial on the roof.
  5. Have your power company “power it down” – smart meters can function quite well at around 5% (or less in some cases) capacity… and they are installed and set at 100%. Note, that not all smart meters can be turned down.
  6. Shielding – done with care can be a simple and effective solution. In most cases, it should be able to be done for less than $300.

What If I Am Renting?

No problem, shielding can be effectively installed in such a way that you can take it with you.

Can't We Just Buy a Cage or Wrap Smart Meters in Aluminium?

NO!

Both of these options can result in the meter working harder to get the signal out. This results in much more “force” being required to get the signal out, causing it to emit at higher levels.

So How Can I Shield it Properly?

I get asked that a LOT… so I have made this easy-to-follow guide packed with expert tips for homeowners AND renters.

”YES!

#smartmeters #EMF #radiofrequency #electricfields #magneticfields #dirtyelecticity #shielding

EMF Exposure – Understanding How You Can Reduce Your Exposure

by | building biology, buildings and health, dirty electricity, electric fields, EMF, high frequencies, indoor environmental health, magnetic fields, radiofrequencies

EMF Exposure – Understanding How You Can Reduce Your Exposure

EMF is a sneaky thing – because you can’t see or smell it, it is often not considered.

When people are exposed to EMF, they can get a variety of symptoms. With regards to radio frequency electromagnetic energy (RF EME), the officials that set the exposure standards only recognise “thermal effects” – so set the standards to below the level at which tissues are heated.

EMF Exposure Standards Are Too High

I firmly believe that there are many health/biological effects that occur well before this level. I believe that the exposure standards are way too high, especially when IARC (the International Agency for Research on Cancer) recognise radio frequency EME & ELF AC magnetic fields as “Category 2B” (this means that they recognise that these types of EMF are possibly carcinogenic to humans).

There is a growing body of research from scientists (including retired ones!) that not only shows that certain types of EMF result in the body reacting in a certain way, but also are becoming more able to explain how and why these reactions occur.

Symptoms from EMF Exposure

Common symptoms from EMF exposure, based on my observation and interaction with hundreds of clients over the years:

  • headaches and migraines (especially unexplained)
  • poor sleep, including vivid dreaming
  • waking feeling unrefreshed
  • low energy
  • pain, including sciatica
  • grinding teeth (bruxism)
  • ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
  • poor concentration

Reducing your EMF exposure is important – not through gadgets and stickers, but through turning things off, switching to safer options, and making choices about when and how you use technology.

This is one of my favourite areas to work with people on. Why? Because often, simple changes to behaviour can significantly reduce your exposure.

At Eco Health Solutions, my team and I assess radio frequency electromagnetic energy (RF EME), ELF AC magnetic fields, ELF AC electric fields and dirty electricity.

EMF Exposure in the Home

Here are the top 5 sources of EMF that my team and I commonly see in homes:

1 The meter (smart or otherwise) and the fuse box on the bedroom wall

2 Power boards under the bed

3 Mobile phones and devices (sometimes even found under pillows!)

4 Cordless phones

5 Wi-fi

Reducing your exposure is important – and since our homes are our castles, they are also our safe havens.

Workplaces can expose staff members to extremely high levels of EMF – without realising it!

 

EMF Exposure in the Workplace

 

Here are the top 5 sources of EMF that my team and I commonly see in workplace:

 

1 Cordless headsets

2 Wi-fi

3 Mobile phones and devices

4 The “IT hub”

5 A “spaghetti” pile power cords under the desk

 

Given most people spend a good 8 hours at work, it is important to reduce your personal exposure as much as possible.

Use Your Laptop or Device Safely: How to Reduce Your EME Exposure

by | building biology, buildings and health, ehs, electric fields, electromagnetic radiation, EMF, EMR, environmental sensitivities, grinding teeth, health, high frequencies, indoor environmental health, magnetic fields, mobile phone, radiofrequencies, sleep, stress, wifi, wireless technology

Device-Use…

Device-use (tablets, laptops and smart phones) has skyrocketed since I first wrote this post back in 2014. They not only are used widely but dominate the lives of many.

The rampant use of devices is apparent when looking about. So many people walk down the street glued to their device. Somehow they manage to avoid colliding with power poles and people.

It has become such a problem that we have new phrases, like “Digital Detox” as part of our vocabulary, now.

With my work as an Indoor Environmental Health Consultant, I get a range of enquiries from people about different things. One of the biggest areas of questioning is about reducing exposure to electromagnetic energy (RF EME).

The most asked question is, “How can I use my laptop or device safely?”

There are three types of EME exposure associated with laptops and devices which will be discussed below.

Let’s cover a bit of the scientific background so it makes more sense.

AC Electric Fields – ELF

The electric fields emitted from many household appliances fall into the category of Extra Low Frequency (ELF). Electric fields are created where there is electricity under pressure. This means that any wiring connected to a power source, can emit an electric field.

Further, a buildings’ wiring can have an electric field even when there are no appliances plugged in. Electric fields can occur when an appliance is plugged in and not in use.

I always recommend people to unplug cords from power points when they are not in use.

Electric fields are also proportional to voltage and they decrease with distance from the source. Therefore, keeping away from appliances that are plugged in can reduce exposure.

Common sources include power lines, household wiring, lighting, and smartphone chargers. As well as all appliances, including, hair straighteners, irons, kettles, electric blankets, electric ovens, electric hot water systems, slab heating…

ELF electric fields have been associated with Electrical Hypersensitivity Syndrome (EHS), also known as Electrical Sensitivity (ES). This condition can manifest with some or all of these and other symptoms:

  • skin symptoms (a feeling of itchiness or biting, redness, a burning sensation)
  • eye symptoms (redness, dryness, pain)
  • poor concentration, and
  • dizziness.

Some other health effects that have been associated with ELF electric fields include:

  • sleep disturbances,
  • fatigue,
  • headache,
  • ringing in the ears (tinnitus),
  • and a constant feeling of a cold or flu about to start but not eventuating.
eco-health-solutions-gadget

AC Magnetic Fields – ELF

Magnetic fields exist in nature. This can be seen when the field of the earth causes the compass needle to point to north.

However, it is with man-made magnetic fields that we are mostly concerned.

Magnetic fields are created when an appliance is switched on. That is, it directly relates to a current being drawn. This is why I always recommend clients turn off any appliance that is not in use at the wall.

Magnetic fields arise from the motion of the electrical charge (WHO, 2012). This is especially the case in alternating current (AC) as the electricity changes direction frequently.

Common sources of ELF magnetic fields are the same as for Electric Fields.

There is a large body of evidence that links ELF magnetic fields with biological changes. Possible health effects, according to Professor Adey, include:

  • a reduction in the immune system,
  • abnormal foetal development,
  • changes to cell growth and development,
  • changes or interruptions to the brain and central nervous system

Other linked or suspected health effects include breast cancer, miscarriage, depression and suicide.

Radio frequency electromagnetic energy (RF EME)

On the electromagnetic spectrum, radio frequency electromagnetic energy (RF EME) is between 3kHz and 300GHz. Here we measure the combined electric and magnetic fields and refer to this as electromagnetic radiation.

There is an ever-increasing range of sources for radio frequency electromagnetic energy (RF EME) as we move towards wireless technology.

As the race to “get rid of unsightly wires” continues, we are adding many layers of convenience to our lifestyles. Some of these “advances” include driverless cars, 5G and so on.

Sources include mobile phone towers, cordless telephones, satellite transmitters, mobile phones, tablets and i-pads, wireless games such as Wii and X-Box, many baby monitors, wireless computer accessories including printer, keyboard, and mouse, wireless internet connections, smart meters and so on.

Numerous health concerns have been linked with RF electromagnetic energy. These include:

  • disturbed sleep,
  • headaches,
  • learning difficulties,
  • concentration problems,
  • fatigue,
  • waking feeling unrefreshed,
  • anxiety,
  • depression,
  • muscle and joint aches and pains,
  • ringing in the ears,
  • hearing loss,
  • palpitations, and more.

As well, there have been some links made to brain tumours, epilepsy, blood pressure, and lowered immunity.

UPDATE (Jan 2020): As we speak, research is being done as the new technology of 5G is being rolled out.

What is evident is that there is not enough research that shows it is safe to use.

Some of the concerns centre around the fact that we will be utilising even higher up the electromagnetic spectrum, into the millimetre waves.

Millimetre waves do not travel very far, and cannot penetrate walls, however, they can penetrate our skin and our eyes. (Lower levels of RF EME can penetrate deeper into our bodies.)

How Can I Use My Laptop or Device Safely?

1. Laptops and devices have a massive advantage over the desktop computer, in my eyes

This advantage is that they can be used on battery. Anything that is plugged in uses AC power. AC stands for “alternating current.” Alternating current is where electricity passes back and forth through the wires. In contrast, a battery uses DC, or “direct current” – which only goes one way. In short, DC is safer than AC.

Unplug the charger and use your laptop or device on battery.

eco health solutions gadget

2. No matter what, I always recommend that you used wired connections – for Internet, mouse and keyboard.

This point is a bit of a 3-for-1 deal – I can’t just give you three tips!

Ultimately, this tip is about reducing your exposure to the radio frequency end of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Here’s the best things that you can do – get a keyboard and mouse that you can plug into your laptop. (Not all devices have this option, so I would suggest using a stylus instead of your fingers.)

Using the wired keyboard and mouse means that you have a greater distance from your laptop. This is always a good thing. It also means that you are not relying on a wireless (radio frequency electromagnetic energy (RF EME) connection).

Using a wired Internet connection is part of this solution.

Note that you will also need to turn off the Wi-Fi capabilities on your computer. Otherwise, it will constantly be searching for a connection. Leaving it on would then be defeating the purpose of using a wired connection) AND you will need to have a modem that does not have Wi-Fi capabilities.

Finding one can be a little tricky. I located some at my local office supply store. I got a modem that had no aerial and only worked via Ethernet connections. It only cost about $50.

So, swap your wireless bits and pieces for wired/cabled equivalents. 

3. Despite its name, do not EVER use your laptop or device on your lap.

We have already discussed the health implications above, and I have pointed out that distance is the key.

The other thing to think about is that by having it on your lap, it is close to your reproductive organs.

Science is only beginning to recognise and accept that there can be health effects beyond the thermal changes.

A bit of background information

When radar began to be used mid last century, the thermal effects of radiofrequency EME were recognised as problematic for health.

The thermal effects on the body have been used as the measuring stick for health effects. This is despite the fact that the vast array of associated health effects have nothing to do with tissues being warmed.

Therefore, never use your laptop or device when it is in contact with your body. 

There you have it – 3 tips to help you use your laptop or device more safely.

I hope you have found this information helpful. Please feel free to get in touch with me if there is more you would like to hear about.

eco-health-solutions-home

POSTSCRIPT

As things have evolved, there are many laptop mats that shield from wireless technology (RF).

TAKE CARE!

RF EME can bounce back off the mat. This can increase what you are exposed to. So if you are sitting over it, it can be a double whammy.

As much as it would be lovely to have a “magic pill” to protect us from RF…

The best and most reliable way is to not have it.

This is a stretch for many people, but would you knowingly put your health at risk?

Available in store now – all for shielding/reducing your exposure to ELF AC Electric Fields:

It is also important to consider connectivity – using an ethernet adaptor is key. Read more here.

Further reading: